Maneuver Conference set, individuals to be recognized

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FORT BENNING, Ga. - Fort Benning is hosting the first Maneuver Conference Monday through Wednesday and unites the Infantry and Cavalry forces under one roof. The recipients of the Doughboy Award and the Order of Saint George Gold Medallion will be awarded at the Maneuver Conference dinner at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the RiverMill Event Center. The event will feature three 2011 Doughboy Award recipients, two 2011 Order of Saint George Gold Medallion recipients and two 2010 Order of Saint George Gold Medallion recipients.

The dinner cost is $45 per person. To register for the conference and attend the dinner, visit www.benning.army.mil/mcoe/maneuverconference/2011/index.html.

The Doughboy Award The Doughboy Award is the highest honor the chief of Infantry bestows on an individual. The award is given annually on behalf of all Infantrymen past and present to individuals who have made substantial, lasting contributions to the Infantry, said Michael Ramirez, project officer for the Chief of Infantry's Doughboy Award.

"Their contributions to the Infantry over their lifetime have been significant, and those contributions recognized by some of the most notable leaders in the Infantry community today," he said.

Meyer retired from the Army after serving as the Army's chief of staff from 1979 to 1983. He held numerous assignments, including serving as the deputy commander of the 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) during Vietnam. He also served as the deputy commandant of the Army War College from 1972 to 1973.

Acebes, a Fort Benning post command sergeant major, served as command sergeant major for units including the 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division and 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment. In 2003, he was inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame. After retirement, he attended Barry University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Resources.

Galloway is a nationally syndicated columnist and senior military correspondent for the Knight Ridder newspapers. He served for 22 years as a foreign and war correspondent and bureau chief for United Press International and 20 years as senior editor and writer for U.S News & World Report. He received the National Magazine Award in 1991 and the Bonze Star Medal with "V" device in 1998.

Order of Saint George Gold Medallion The Order of Saint George Gold Medallion was established in 1986 by the U.S. Armor Association to recognize the best tankers and Cavalrymen. Retired Lt. Col. Mark Gavula, executive director for the U.S. Cavalry and Armor Association, said members of the Gold Order of the Order of Saint George nominate individuals and are elected into the order. The recipients will be knighted during the Maneuver Conference dinner.

"It illustrates their continued contributions to the Army, Armor and Cavalry and the Soldier in their post military career," he said.

"We know what they accomplished on active duty during their career by reading their biography and looking at their awards. They may have hung up their uniform but continue to give back to the Cavalry and Armor community."

The 2011 recipients are retired Col. William Hansen and retired Command Sgt. Maj. William "Joe" Gainey. Hansen is the vice president of Army Systems and Special Operations Forces Programs business areas for the Washington Operations Office, Lockheed Martin Corporation. Hansen served in the military for more than 27 years including commander of the 1st Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, and command and staff positions in the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment.

Gainey retired in 2008. He was the first senior enlisted adviser to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in 2005. He served as the command sergeant major of several units including 2nd Battalion, 68th Armored Regiment, and 1st Battalion, 35th Armored Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division. He also served as the command sergeant major of Combined Joint Task Force 7 and as command sergeant major of Multi-National Corps-Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom II.

Also during the dinner, the 2010 recipients will be recognized.

They are retired Gens. Ronald Griffith and John Tilelli Jr. Neither were able to attend last year because they were out of the county, Gavula said.

Griffith served as the vice chief of staff of the U.S. Army from 1995 to 1997. Past assignments include commander of 1st Battalion, 32nd Armor Regiment in Germany, 1st Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division and 1st Armored Division during the Gulf War. His awards include the Purple Heart, Legion of Merit and Bronze Star. Griffith retired in 1997 and became the executive vice president of Military Professional Resources and executive vice president of the L-3 Communications Government Services Group.

Tilelli was the vice chief of staff of the U.S. Army from 1994 to 1995. His previous assignments include the position of commanding general of the U.S. Army Forces Command from 1995 to 1996 and commander in chief of the United Nations Command/Combined Forces Command/U.S. Forces Korea/8th U.S. Army from 1996-1999. He retired in 2000. After his retirement, he became the president of the United Services Organizations. His awards include the Legion of Merit and Bronze Star with "V" device.